The Penn's Grove record., 1887-09-03

Ralph leaned from the carriage TO
get the first view, and soon the we'll
remembered mansion was in sight,
brilliantly lighted for the reception of
it's guest.
Ralph had never seen Clara, and to-
night, in a wonderful attire that set
off her blonde beauty, she looked very
handsome. Katie came forward, ex-
tending her hand in cordial welcome.
81 cannot realize, "said Ralph, : that
this is the little girl who was ono so
unforgiving. Surely you do not think
1 am a mergerer nowp"
Il have not forgotten poor Bessie's
fate, but think / forgave you when you
went away so long ago." said Kate,
laughing
How bright and pleasant were all the
surroundings, and how Uncle Tom did
enjoy his home, thus renovated!
Katie saw little of Ralph the next
day, for Uncle Tom kept him pretty
close. Clara was invited to play after
dinner, and acquitted herself finely.
"You play, Miss Ciifton?" said
Ralph.
Uncle Tom was quick to answer:
"Katfe plays my music, we will have
some this evening, with a song or two.
And now, Ralph, l want to take you
out behind my grays. The girls might
come, but there will be time enough
for that, and to-day l want you to my
self.n
They did not return until tea time,
both feeling refreshed by their ride.
In the evening Uncle Tom was re-
mindad of His music
"Yes, yesl Katie, show Ralph what
you can play"
she will surely think me a queer
girl, and not very refined" thought
Katie, as she went for her banjo.
"Here Is your place, Katie" said
Uncle Tom, and he drew a low seat
beside his.
Ralph Shepley thought he had never
seen a face so bright. so beautiful, or
listened to a voice 50 sweet. What TO
him was the piano when the ripping
music of Katie's banjo and voice was
In his heart and Q~uickening all his
pulses to its sweet muslcp And when
he babe her goodnight. with a warm
| clasp OF the hand, he said:
"Thank you, Miss Clifton, for your
music; the dear home songs have done
me good"
Ralph Shepley was a true and noble
man, and could detect the real from
he false, especially In woman. He knew
that Clara's sweetness and homage to
Uncle Tom was assumed and for a
purpose. This he discovered In a few
days intercourse. His heart was drawn
toward Katie; she might be a little
Impulsive, yet she was frank, warm.
hearted and true. To please Uncle
Tom he must be attentive to Clara,
| yet the hours passed in her society were
endured, not enjoyed, as were those In
Katie'S.
"Katie,n said Ralph. one morning,
"you know L promised to bring you a
! peace Offering IN my return. Why
don't you ask for itp"
81 supposed it was forgotten long
ago. with the drowning Of poor Bes-
sie,'' said Katie.
mo, here it is" at the same time
handing her a quaint-lookiRg box.
''Open it"
81 sec no place, "she answered, after
carefully examining 1t.
Ralph touched a concealed spring;
instantly the outer covering opened,
and a box of elegantly carved wood,
intermingled with ivory and gold, met
her gaze; a sweet perfume 1lled the
room. Even Uncle Tom, who was
familiar with these foreign, curious
things, exclaimed at its beauty.
81 am very grateful, Ralph. for this
beautiful remembrance, and will prize
it as my choicest treasure"
fA-I =, o.raak .n1rnnnnf 20 paooiato
memory )" laughed Ralph. land now
for the walk you promised me to what
you consider a curiosity"
"Yes, it is curiosity, at least, to me,
though Uncle Tom doesn't think so."
The days were passing in quick sue
cession. Kate felt she must go home.
Every day Ralph Shepley was growing
dearer to her heart. She did not in
tend this to be so, did not intend to
interfere with Uncle Toms plan. OF
course he would marry Clara-Clara,
who would have Uncle Toms estates
and why should she think OF him
longerP She would go home; she would
tell Uncle Tom this very night, and 60
tomorrow.
"Uncle Tom,n said Kate, entering
the library, 81 must go home to-mor-
row, for / have been Sare a long time"
"Whatl' said her suncle. "Going
home? Been quarreiing with Ralph"
"No, indeedl' said Kate, laughing.
"But l ought TO go. You do not need
me any longer, and, l think, a dis
pense with my services"
81 am not feeling well this evening,
Katie. You will not go and leave me
sickY"
"You will be better in the morning."
she answered brightly; "but | will not
leave you ILL.,"
Uncle Tom was not better in the
morning, and a physician was called,
who pronounced the symptoms to be of
a contagious character.
"T'ell the family and servants the
full truth, DR.. Blake. Get me a nurse
and l will do the best l can"
The doctor did his errand promptly,
but the servants, who had been Ia
Captain Toms employe for a long
time, said they should remain.
Clara commenced packing at once.
and In less than two hours was away.
In the meantime Katie had entered
the sick room, and, bending tenderly
over her uncle, said
"Here is your nurse, Uncle Tom;
how do you like herr"
81 see no one, Katie; where Is shep"
"Jnst here, beside you"
"Oh, you must not, Katie. you must
notI'
81 must, and you are to obey orders.
Now take this and try to sleep like the
good old boy / know you will be-"
A look of intense happiness stole
over the old mans face. and Katie
watched beside HIM until he slept. She
went to the library and found, much to
her surprise, Ralph Shepley.
"You here, Ralph? Do you know
the d~anger2',
'I only know there Is no danger l
would not share With you, Katie, my
darling. I may tell you now how |
love you, though you must have seen
and known this long before. We will
watch and care for Uncle Tom together,
aud then I may claim you as my ownf
One little word, Katie"